Vanessa Salamon
Founder & Travel Advisor | ASTA Verified Travel Advisor | Expedition & Luxury Cruise Specialist Vanessa Salamon is an ASTA Verified Travel Advisor who has traveled to all seven continents and brings firsthand experience in expedition travel, luxury and small ship cruising, and river cruising. As the founder of TIVA Travel LLC and Vista Expedition Travel, Vanessa is known for designing journeys to some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations — from remote polar regions to iconic waterways and remarkable places across the globe. Her expertise allows her to guide clients through the many options available and create travel experiences that are both seamless and deeply meaningful. With a strong focus on immersive travel, Vanessa carefully crafts each itinerary to ensure thoughtful planning, smooth logistics, and unforgettable experiences from start to finish. Vanessa manages every detail so her clients can focus on what truly matters—exploring, discovering, and being inspired by the world’s most extraordinary places.
Vanessa’s Areas of Expertise
Expedition Travel
Vanessa specializes in expedition cruises and remote destinations around the world, including Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland, Svalbard, Alaska and Africa. Having traveled extensively to these regions, she helps travelers choose the right expedition cruise line and itinerary for an unforgettable journey.
Luxury Cruises
Luxury means something different to every traveler. For some, it may be an elegant evening onboard and exceptional service with a dedicated butler. For others, it may mean the relaxed atmosphere of a small ship or yacht where the focus is on exploration and extraordinary destinations.
Vanessa helps travelers find the cruise experience that feels truly luxurious to them — whether that means a grand ocean liner, an intimate yacht, or a small ship. Luxury may be defined by personalized service, beautiful accommodations, world-class cuisine, or the rare privilege of access: access to remarkable places, meaningful experiences, and moments that few travelers ever see.
River Cruising
River cruising is one of Vanessa’s favorite ways to explore deeper into countries. She helps clients choose the right river cruise line, itinerary, and ship for unforgettable journeys along famous waterways such as the Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Douro, Amazon, Mekong and the Nile.
Vanessa works with top river cruise lines to match travelers with the perfect sailing experience.
Vanessa's Travel Experience
Vanessa has traveled extensively around the world, including all seven continents. Her travel experience includes expedition cruises to polar regions, luxury cruises, river cruises, and journeys to some of the world’s most remote and extraordinary destinations.
Her firsthand experience allows her to provide thoughtful recommendations and insider insight when designing travel experiences for her clients.
Why Work with Vanessa Salamon
Vanessa believes travel has the power to transform how we see the world. Her approach to travel planning is thoughtful, personal, and deeply rooted in her own experiences exploring the globe.
Having traveled to all seven continents and extensively researched expedition travel and luxury cruises, Vanessa helps clients navigate the many options available and select the journeys that best match their interests and travel style.
Her goal is to create seamless travel experiences that allow clients to fully immerse themselves in extraordinary destinations while knowing every detail has been carefully arranged.
Travel Tips from Vanessa
Choose Experiences, Not Just Destinations
When planning travel, think beyond simply where you want to go. The most memorable journeys are often shaped by the experiences you have along the way — whether that’s exploring remote landscapes, encountering wildlife, or connecting with local cultures. Choosing travel experiences that excite and inspire you often leads to far more meaningful trips.
Smaller Ships Often Mean Deeper Exploration
When it comes to cruising, ship size can greatly influence the type of experience you have. Smaller ships and expedition vessels can access destinations that larger ships cannot reach, offering opportunities for deeper exploration and more immersive travel experiences. For travelers who enjoy discovery and unique destinations, this can make all the difference.
River Cruising Offers a More Immersive Way to Explore
Unlike ocean cruising, river cruises travel directly through the heart of destinations—docking in city centers and allowing you to step off the ship right into the culture, history, and daily life of each place. This style of travel offers a more intimate, enriching experience with fewer crowds and a deeper connection to each destination.
Plan Your Trip With Vanessa
If you’re dreaming of exploring Antarctica, embarking on a luxury cruise, or discovering a river cruise around the world, Vanessa would love to help design your next journey.
Her thoughtful and personalized approach ensures every trip reflects your interests, travel style, and sense of adventure.
Your Travel Questions Answered
How do I choose the right cruise line?
Choosing the right cruise line depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Some travelers prefer the energy and entertainment of larger ships, while others enjoy the intimate atmosphere of small luxury ships or yachts. The destinations, style of travel, level of service, and onboard atmosphere can vary greatly between cruise lines.
When I work with clients, we start by talking about what matters most to them — the destinations they want to explore, the pace of the journey, the type of ship they prefer, and the overall travel experience they envision. With so many wonderful cruise options available today, the key is finding the cruise line that matches your personal travel style.
When is the best time to book a cruise?
In many cases, the best time to book a cruise is as early as possible. Some popular itineraries, small ships, and the most desirable suite categories often sell out well in advance.
That said, cruises can truly be booked at any time. Cruise lines frequently introduce special offers throughout the year, including promotions, added amenities, or value-added packages.
For travelers who are flexible with their timing or destination, these opportunities can sometimes provide excellent value. One of the best ways to stay informed about new sailings and special offers is to remain connected through my mailing list, where I share updates on unique voyages and opportunities as they become available.
What is an Expedition Cruise?
An expedition cruise is a style of travel focused on exploration rather than traditional cruising. These voyages typically travel to remote and extraordinary destinations such as Antarctica, the Arctic, Greenland, or the Galápagos.
Instead of large ports and entertainment-focused itineraries, expedition cruises emphasize nature, wildlife, and learning. Guests travel on small ships designed to access remote areas and participate in guided landings, Zodiac excursions, and educational programs led by naturalists and experts.
Expedition cruising offers travelers the chance to experience some of the most remarkable places on Earth in a way that is immersive, educational, and unforgettable.
What makes river cruises different from ocean cruises?
River cruises offer a more intimate and immersive way to explore destinations. Instead of spending days at sea, river cruises travel directly through the heart of cities and regions, allowing guests to step off the ship and immediately experience local culture, history, and cuisine. Vanessa helps travelers choose the right river cruise line and itinerary so they can enjoy destinations like the Rhine, Danube, or Douro in a relaxed and enriching way.